Caldera
Kayaks

2014 Newsletter

2014 Newsletter,

We will open in late May or early June for the 2014 season. We apologize for any inconvenience if you try to get out on the water before that time. Spring can bring unsettled weather so we usually wait until later in the season for warmer temperatures and more settled weather.

Winter got off to a late start in 2013/2014. We did get some snow over the winter and spring so there should be some runoff in the spring and summer. The landscape at the South Tufa area has changed dramatically and lots of shallow areas are covered with water now. There are still a few shallow tufas to watch out for as collisions damage both boats and the tufa towers.go to top of page

Mono Lake
Update:

Shallow lagoons have formed along the shoreline and new habitat is available for birds. We see quite a few birds in the spring, summer and fall months. In addition to the California gulls, eared grebes and phalaropes we were treated to views of avocet, egrets, Great blue herons, stilts and ruddy ducks.

There are several pairs of Osprey that nest on tufa towers near the big point west of Navy Beach and other pairs nest on other tufa towers in the Navy Beach and South Tufa area. Please do not visit the sensitive nest areas and stay a good 200 yards from the tufa towers with the nests. There are maps available that show where the nests are located so they can be avoided.

Private boaters are required to know the regulations to paddle on Mono Lake. Always pay attention to the weather forecast. The kiosk at Navy Beach has maps and information about boat safety, weather forecasts, sensitive wildlife areas that include the Osprey nests, river delta areas and other areas on the shores of Mono Lake. Beginners are advised to stay close to shore, since strong winds can come up suddenly and create large steep waves. An early start is advisable, especially in the warm summer months, to take advantage of calm morning conditions. NOAA weather forecasts can be heard at Navy Beach with a weather radio so tours can be planned accordingly.

Scheduled
Mono Lake tours:

Summer of 2014 is here! Listed below is the schedule for Mono Lake natural history kayak tours. Depending on availability and group size alternate tour dates can be arranged. Call or email for more information and reservations. If you get our machine please leave a message and we will call you back as soon as possible. Our schedule is dependent on the weather and subject to change. Tours are available midweek and on weekends.

We
offer guided kayak tours along Mono Lake's shoreline and out to Paoha Island to
let you experience one of the oldest living lakes from the unique perspective
of a touring kayak. We paddle along Mono Lake's intriguing shoreline during the
seasonal closure from April 1 to August 1. Starting in August we lead trips to
young volcanic islands when weather conditions permit.

Three
or more persons $75.00 per person for a guided tour, includes natural history,
boating equipment and instruction. Call for trip itinerary.

Two
person private tours are $110.00 per person.

Where
to meet and what to bring:

Tours
depart from Navy Beach on the south shore of Mono Lake.To reach Navy Beach from Mammoth Lakes go
north on highway 395 to about five miles north of the June Lake Junction to
route 120 East.To reach Navy Beach from
Lee Vining / Tioga Pass Route go south on 395 about five miles to route 120
East.Take route 120 east towards Benton
for five miles.Turn

left
at the SouthTufa Reserve/Test Station road turnoff.Follow the right fork towards Navy

Beach.Turn left at "T".Follow road to parking area.Reservations are required for the kayak tour.

Itinerary:

08:30Meet guests, get boats ready for
tour.Paddle instruction.

9:00Depart on tour.

9:30
to 10:45 Paddle to destination with short interpretive discussions

along
the way.

10:45
to 11:15Lunch break and Mono Lake
natural history discussion.

11:30
to 12:00 Return paddle from destination.

12:30
to doneLoad up equipment.

Trip
length might vary due to weather conditions, group abilities and other

factors.

Personal
equipment list:

Water
shoes: Booties or sandals with ankle straps (Teva or similar) or old

sneakers.

Shorts
or bathing suit.

Cotton
long pants not recommended.

T
shirt.Light synthetic sweater.

Wind
breaker or jacket.

Sunhat,
sunglasses with retainers, sunscreen

Boating
or bike gloves, light garden gloves.

Lunch
and water.

Small
beach towel.

Optional:

Quick
drying long pants and long sleeve sun/salt shirt.

Camera,
binoculars, Dry bag.

Paddler
Comfort Packages:

Here
are a few goodies that will make your kayak tour more comfortable. They are
yours to keep for future adventures on the water.

The
basic:

A
dry bag or a pair of gloves. You can keep your camera, lunch and sweater dry in
one of these quality Baja bags from Cascade Designs. Gloves protect your hands
from the sun and salt.

Small
5 liter $11.00

Medium
10 liter$13.00

Large
20 liter $16.00

Or a pair of good quality pair of gloves. $15.00 to $28.00

The
intermediate:

A
pair of gloves and a dry bag.

Gloves
will keep your hands from getting sore spots and they also keep the sun and
salt off your hands.

$30.00
to $40.00 for the popular medium size dry bag and a good pair of gloves.

Intermediate
tours:

Have you ever wondered what lies around the next point? Intermediate and advanced paddlers will enjoy our longer distance kayak tours. We will keep up a good pace and discuss the natural history of the Mono Basin as we paddle and at locations of interest. Kayakers should have an efficient forward stroke and some experience with winds and waves for the intermediate tours. The warm days of summer and autumn make these extended tours quite enjoyable. Our advanced tours might be of interest to paddlers that would like to rent a kayak but cannot transport the kayak themselves to Mono Lake.

We leave early on the island tours to take advantage of the calm morning and plan our returns before the afternoon winds pick up.

Call for trip itinerary and if you have questions about your ability. People with their own boats are welcome to join one of our scheduled tours. $50.00 with your own boat.

Freshwater
Kayaking:

There
are lots of freshwater lakes that offer delightful locations to paddle kayaks
and canoes. You can paddle your boat to a secluded beach and enjoy a picnic in
the sand.

Crowley
Lake is a large freshwater lake close to Mammoth Lakes with spectacular vistas
of the surrounding Sierra Nevada peaks. The U.S. Olympic Flat Water Kayak Team
might train on the waters of Crowley Lake in preparation for the year 2004
Olympics in Athens. We offer lakefront lessons and quality kayak rentals at the
Crowley Lake Marina from May through the middle of October. On the water kayak
rentals make it convenient and easy to paddle a scenic gem overlooked by many
paddlers. Paddle a kayak along the twenty mile shoreline and discover hidden
coves and sandy beaches for yourself.

Grant
Lake, a reservoir upstream from Mono Lake, has lots of sandy beaches and great
vistas of Mt. Wood. Trees line the shoreline and the water is refreshing on a
hot day. Autumn colors are especially vibrant on the lakeshore and hills that
surround the lake. Grant Lake is part of the watershed that fills Mono Lake so
we are happy to see the lake quite full these days.

Freshwater
tours:

Please call
to arrange tours. $60.00 per person, includes natural history, boating
equipment and instruction. Custom tours are available to accommodate paddlers
of all ages and abilities.

Adult
Lessons:

Two person
minimum.
$60.00 for a two to three hour basic lesson, covers kayaking safety, paddle
strokes, self rescue and on the water practice. If you would like to learn some
kayak skills and enjoy some great tours join us for our introductory kayak
course. We begin with a lesson on scenic Crowley Lake where we will teach
you an efficient paddle stroke, brace strokes, self rescue and some basic
navigational skills. We will enjoy dramatic views of the Sierra Nevada
Mountain Range and learn about the Long Valley Caldera. Your guide might even
demonstrate an Eskimo roll. The U.S. Olympic Canoe and Kayak flat water team
has trained on the waters of Crowley Lake in preparation for the
Olympics. The afternoon is yours to hike, bike, fish or just relax in the
nearby mountains.

Combination
lesson/tour package: $125.00

If you would
like to learn some kayak skills and enjoy some great tours join us for our
introductory kayak course. On the two day learn to paddle course we begin with
a lesson on scenic Crowley Lake where we will teach you an efficient paddle
stroke, brace strokes, self rescue and some basic navigational skills. We
will enjoy dramatic views of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range and learn about
the Long Valley Caldera. Your guide might even demonstrate an Eskimo
roll. The afternoon is yours to hike, bike, fish or just relax in the
nearby mountains.

On the second
day we put our kayak skills to use on a tour of the inland sea of Mono Lake.
While we tour we will discuss the natural history of the Mono Basin, view
wildlife and refine our on the water skills. Mono Lake is noted for its unique
tufa formations and is especially important for bird rookeries and migratory
routes. The shoreline of Mono Lake has changed dramatically in recent years
with the 1994 decision to increase the elevation of the lake. Mono Lake from
the perspective of a sea kayak is a memorable experience. You might have so
much fun you will want to take a kayak home with you.

The
combination lesson/tour is suited for beginners or for those that have kayaked
before and want to learn some additional skills. The lesson and tour
combination is available throughout the summer.

Youth
Lessons:

Sometimes
your best memories are from your childhood adventures. We offer lessons for children
so they can get out on the water at an early age. Two person minimum.

$45.00 for a
two hour lesson, includes all equipment.

Call for more
information and reservations.

Rentals

Crowley Lake
Rental Rates:
Sit-on-top singles: Half day $30.00, full day $40.00
Sit-on-top doubles: Half day $50.00, full day $60.00
Call for reservations.

Baja and the Tropics

As
much as we love winter in the Eastern Sierra, we do get tired of cold weather
now and then. At times like these we like to go on kayak tours in Costa Rica
and Baja California. We have paddled most of Baja's Sea of Cortez shoreline and
can give you some good ideas on places to go or we can hook you up with some of
the outfitters that lead great trips in Baja.

Costa
Rica has to be one of our favorite places for kayak tours. In 1992 we paddled
Costa Rica's Pacific Coastline and saw monkeys, tapirs, scarlet macaws and
other exotic wildlife from our campsites. Kayaks proved to be a perfect way to
explore some of the more remote portions of the shoreline.

Accessories:

Paddlers depend
on their equipment. Weather conditions change rapidly in the Eastern Sierra. We
use and sell quality boats from Necky Kayaks and Ocean Kayaks and paddles from
Northwest Design Works so you know the gear will not let you down. We also sell
accessories to keep you warm and dry while paddling.

It is not
unusual to encounter variable weather conditions while out on Mono Lake. We use
and sell Ex-Officio travel clothing to keep the hot sun and salt off our skin.
These clothes are cool in hot weather and dry very quickly when wet. When
conditions are not favorable, fleece underlayers with a storm shell or dry top
from Kokatat will keep you comfortable and warm. Booties, gloves and wetsuits
will keep you warm when out for cold weather paddle tours.

Dry bags from
Seattle Sports and Cascade Designs will keep your extra gear dry, whether you
are on a day trip or an extended journey. Try a Thermarest'r' Chair Kit at the
end of a long day and enjoy a full support chair. Cascade Designs also makes a
great touring seat that will fit most kayaks and canoes and reduces fatigue on
long trips.

No matter
what the activity is, it is important to keep hydrated while you enjoy the
great outdoors. We use Camel Bak and Ultimate Directions hydration systems to
keep ourselves properly hydrated while paddling, biking, skiing or hiking in
the Eastern Sierra.

NOAA has
established a repeater that gives up to date weather forecasts for the Eastern
Sierra. The Weather One radio will keep you from guessing about the next storm
system moving in and get you off the lake or out of the mountains before the
weather changes.

Yakima Racks
has developed a roof rack for most vehicles. We sell and rent Yakima Racks so
you know your equipment will get to your destination safe and securely. We also
have canoe and kayak carts that make longer carries much easier.

Eastern Sierra

Call 760.934.1691 for information.

Caldera Kayaks
P.O. Box 726
Mammoth Lakes, Ca. 93546

Under special use permit with the Inyo National Forest.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)